“Christian Persecution”


BIBLE READING: Acts 13-14
DISCUSSION                                                                 
                It is hard being a Christian isn’t it?  As Christians we must face so much persecution in this world.  There are times when we are laughed at because of the way we act, dress, or how we talk.  Since we are to be different from the world, the world has decided to criticize, mock and at times, verbally abuse us.  It is no wonder the church isn’t growing like it did in the first century, because people just don’t want to be part of a movement that faces so much persecution.  It is just so much easier to quit living the Christian life, rather than face all the harsh criticism we must face.  Of course, I am being facetious!   Yes, we do in fact face criticism and persecution for our faith, but it is nothing like what is around the world.   Even today, in some countries it is against the law to have a worship service or to even have a Bible out in public.  There is also no comparison to the persecution we face today and the persecution the early Christians faced in the early church.  In our Bible reading for the day we see just a glimpse of what Paul went through as he was preaching the Gospel in Lystra.  As he was preaching, there was a massive crowd that had followed him from Antioch and Iconium that dragged him out of the city and stoned him, leaving him for dead.  In fact, according to the text, they thought he was dead.  I believe he was dead and God raised him up because He still had some work to do for the kingdom.  When the other disciples gather around him, did Paul stand up and said “Well… I will never do that again!  This job is too dangerous!”.  Of course, he didn’t! The Bible says that he went right back into the city and just kept on preaching!   Let’s allow Paul be an example to us.  Our lives may never be at risk because we are Christians, but we will have to face some persecution; but don’t quit!  Why, because just as Paul said “…in due season we will reap, if we faint not”(Galatians 6.9).
Prayer Requests:___________________________________________________________________________________

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday - October 4, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study TUESDAY BIBLE READING:    Genesis 32:22-32 Do you want to be blessed? That sounds like a rhetorical question, doesn’t it? Who doesn’t want to be blessed? I guess it really depends on your definition of “blessed.” Many people desire blessings that will make them wealthy or, perhaps, material goods. However, being blessed is not limited to those physical things. In fact, sometimes we can be blessed in the most unusual ways. For instance, in Genesis 32:26, we find Jacob wrestling with what we often call an angel. Within the story, Jacob is overtaking the angel and holding him down; refusing to let go until the angel gives him a blessing. The angel obliges Jacob, but not in the way he might have imagined. The angel changed his name from “Jacob” to “Israel,” but he also did something else. He put Jacob’s hip joint out of socket, causing him much pain and difficulty walking. In part, his blessing had to do with him walking with a limp. How is tha...
Read more

Resolutions: Draw closer to God through study of His word

BIBLE READING: John 14.7 Spend time alone with God’s Word.  Besides the spiritual growth we will gain from study, we will also come to know Him better.  Reading His word brings us in touch with Him.  Jesus tells us in John 14:7 – “If you had known Me, you would have known my Father also.”   Just studying the life of Jesus will help us to know God better.   In seeking God’s help, we can draw closer to Him through prayer, meditation, nature, and study.   “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2  I Tim.4:13,15 - “Give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine… meditate on these things; give yourself wholly to them.”   Regardless of our circumstances we can rely on God’s unchanging character.  God is good. God loves me. God is with me. God knows my problems. God cares. Romans 8:31(b) tells us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Make a resolution to slo...
Read more

“Examples”

BIBLE READING: Mark 13- Luke 1 DISCUSSION                                                                                   This past week we have read of some great examples in the bible.   We read in Mark 13 about us being ready and being prepared for when Jesus returns.   We need to all stay awake!   In Mark 14 we read of one action having such an impact.   How this woman gave her very best to Jesus because of her love for Him.   In Mark 15 we read of Pontius Pilate and his desire to keep his power.   He loved his power and did not want to give it up even if that meant sending an inno...
Read more